What can I do for my tuberous begonia's to get them started?

Question

I got mail order tubers (small, maybe 2 inches diameter max) and they are struggling to sprout.  One has already rotted away.  I didn't plant them under the soil, becuase that has always led to rot.  Some are just starting to grow (maybe 1/4 inch at max) but many are either still dormant or might be on the way to dieing.  When they get big, they will  do great here, I have had them in hte past, but this year is awful tough.

? · Accepted Answer

You could try using sterile soil.
Sand would be very good.
You can even clean the sand first if you want to be super sterile (hot water-bleach-hot water-rest for three days to allow complete evaporation of bleach).

other sterile soil would be peat moss, perlite, vermiculite or some certain potting soils (typically the kind without any fertilizer added to it).

sterile soil should mostly solve ur problem because it does not have the bacteria in it that cause the rot<the bacteria get access to the plant because the tissue is too soft from being too wet; the soft skin loses it's power to be a barrier.

We want the roots hydrated but not soaking. Covering the soil can help to maintain even moisture levels.

warmth is also necessary. nothing less than 60F - 70F room. BUT not all begonia tubers like warm<make sure of your variety. there are a few kinds of begonias.
http://www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/mastergardener/OldPages/begonias.shtml  

A root can show growth; like a small bulging sprout; this should occur shortly after the initial soaking but then it can take weeks to grow more. <this is natural. but during those weeks the plant cannot dry out again. no more soaking but no drying out either.

A good way to keep ur soil sterile AND add air is to use hydrogen peroxide. common drug store hydrogen peroxide is h2o2  and that means it loses one molecule of oxygen to the soil and leaves water. You can use a 3% strength (typical drug store strength) or less. the kind that can be bought at horticultural supply is often stronger/up to 35% and that kind can burn you so use caution and dilute.

^^using h2o2 on ur plants in general can make them grow like crazy and look real healthy because of all the extra oxygen the roots are getting. Roots like/utilize oxygen in the same way that the leaves like co2 (carbon dioxide).

for now, maybe give them a 3% watering the next time they need water. and then dilute it after that; maybe to the strength on the side of the bottle that is recommended for mouthwash; three parts water to one part h2o2 i think?

more begonia texts:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=root+rot+grow+begonias&ei=utf-8&fr=b1ie7

"forums" where you can talk and ask about begonias:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=begonias+forum&ei=utf-8&fr=b1ie7

to ever get forums about ur specific topic, just search ur subject but add the word forum.

Trending News

What can I do for my tuberous begonia's to get them started?

1 Answer